Famous Moldovan ballet master dies

Chisinau, 8 December /MOLDPRES/ - Ballet master, People’s Artist of Moldova, People’s Artist of the Soviet Union, Laureate of the State Prize, holder of Moldova’s Order of the Republic Vladimir Curbet died at the age of 87 today morning.   

Contacted by MOLDPRES, the director general of National State Academic Folk Dance Ensemble Joc, Aliona Strambeanu, has said that the sad news shocked all those who knew Vladimir Curbet. According to Strambeanu, the master underwent surgery several days ago.    

“Vladimir Curbet is one of the greatest choreographers of the world. He is a name of legend. The Joc ensemble, which he led for almost 60 years, is the artistic expression of Moldova. He left us an inestimable cultural heritage, which we will preserve piously. We, those from Joc, will continue the traditional school of master Vladimir Curbet and will make all efforts for this ensemble be in continuation the highest expression of Moldova’s culture,” Aliona Strambeanu said.  

Vladimir Curbet was born in the Susleni village, Orhei county, on 5 December 1930. In 1966, Curbet finished the Musical School (now Musical College) Stefan Neaga. Vladimir Curbet was the head of the dances and brass band from the Susleni village (1949-1953); he led the band of folk dances from Caragas village, Slobozia district in 1953-1957.  

In 1957, Vladimir Curbet was appointed pedagogue and preparator and in 1958 – artistic director and first ballet master  of the Ensemble, afterwards named National Academic State Folk Dance Ensemble Joc. In 1969, Curbet founded a choreographic studio at the Joc Ensemble, bringing his contribution also to the sector of pedagogy. In 1976, he re-established the choreography school at the Stefan Neaga Musical School, where he taught the folk dance during five years. Vladimir Curbet insisted on the opening of the national choreography department at the Arts Institute, where he taught the folk dance during four years.    

With the Joc Ensemble, Vladimir Curbet staged more suites and folk dances, folklore dances, folk shows, choreographic images.   

Ballet master Vladimir Curbet performed 10,000 shows in over 70 countries with the Joc Ensemble. In 1953, the ensemble led by Vladimir Curbet got the first-degree diploma and the Gold Medal at the fourth World Festival of Youth and Students from Bucharest. He was awarded the prize I and the Gold Medal at the International Festival from Moscow in 1957. The Joc ensemble ranked first and got the Gold Medal at the International Folklore Festival from Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia, in 1965. Also, the ensemble was awarded the first-degree diploma and the Gold Medal at the Folklore Festival from Germany.     

Vladimir Curbet researched and turned to good account traditions, customs, dances, music and national costumes. He collected more than 3,500 songs, doinas, ballads from all folklore genres. As author, Curbet signed more books about the national songs and dances.  

In 2013, Vladimir Curbet was awarded the highest distinction of the World International Property Organization – Gold Medal for Creativity.

(Reporter N. Roibu, editor A. Raileanu)